Monday Night Raw TV Report for 08/04/2014

A lot truly does happen in two weeks, as since the last time I wrote about Raw, we have half-a-card for SummerSlam and it looks awesome! I’m really into the Brie Bella/Stephanie McMahon feud. While neither come a mile close to the wrestling ability of Hall Of Famers Lita and Trish Stratus, respectively, the intensity mirrors the classic rivalry of the 2000s. Here’s hoping they amp it up in the next two weeks.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena’s promo from last week’s Raw was also intense, and gives more legitimacy to his title match at SummerSlam with Brock Lesnar. Again, here’s hoping he keeps it up. Plus, that was a fantastic match with Cesaro! The next question is, will “The Beast Incarnate” show up tonight, and if so, what will he do?

I’m also loving Intercontinental Champion The Miz’s feud with Dolph Ziggler, so hopefully their impending I.C. Title bout will be added to the SummerSlam matches.

What else will go down from Austin Texas this evening? Read on to find out!

A montage of the brawl between Kane, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns, followed by the vicious attack on Reigns by Orton is first aired. We are then live as Michael Cole welcomes us to Raw. Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and Kane, otherwise collectively known as The Authority, walk to the ring. Cole reveals Randy Orton VS. Roman Reigns being added to SummerSlam via WWE.com earlier today.

Triple H is on the microphone first, putting over SummerSlam and inexpensive cost of the WWE Network. He also announces Seth Rollins will take on Dean Ambrose at the Pay-Per-View. As well, both wrestlers will be in separate matches tonight, in Beat-The-Clock challenges. Whoever completes the faster time, gets to pick the stipulation for their bout at SummerSlam.

Stephanie is on the mike next, and says she and Brie Bella will sign the contract later tonight for their SummerSlam showdown. Stephanie threatens to put Brie in the hospital, much like her real-life husband Daniel Bryan, if she “gets out of line.”

“The Viper” then talks about his plans to “decimate” Roman Reigns at SummerSlam, saying that last week “was only a taste.” His rival’s music hits and he walks through the crowd. Reigns stands with the fans and glares at The Authority. Roman warns them that he is still around after “taking everything” Orton gave him, and wants to give them another beating for free. HHH gives Reigns another match – a Last Man Standing Match with Kane, next!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single (Last Man Standing Rules) – Kane VS. Roman Reigns

The bell rings and Roman slugs away. Kane punches back and whips Reigns into the corner, but Reins fires back with a clothesline. He whips Kane off the ropes, but Kane counters with a DDT. Roman comes back again, booting Kane out of the corner and leaping off the second rope with a chop. He slams Kane’s head on the commentator’s table, then hurls him into the steps. Mike Chioda, the referee, begins the 10-count, but only gets to three. Reigns rams Kane into the barricade, but Kane counters another throw and sends Reigns into the steel steps. He slams Roman’s head off the ring post, then sets up have the ring steps.

Kane goes to chuck Reigns into those steps, but Roman counters with punches and shoves him into the crowd wall. The referee gets to 6 before Kane rises. He uses the steps again and smashes then against Roman’s head, mildly busting him open. They continue to fight around the ring, with Reigns putting Kane into the timekeeper’s area.

Ads.

Kane is back in control in the ring, but Roman counters again, whipping Kane into the steel chair set up in the corner. Reigns builds momentum, clothesline and punching Kane, then hitting him with the front-dropkick from the floor to the apron. He reverses another Irish Whip and sends Kane into the steps that were standing in the aisle. Reigns now pulls a table from under the ring, but Kane cuts him off before he can go further.

Reigns suddenly picks up Kane with a Samoan Drop, then goes for the Superman Punch but is caught. Kane chokeslams him through the table! Chioda counts to 9, then Reigns gets back up! Kane tries another Chokelsam on a chair, but Roman reverses into a DDT. He then flies with the Superman Punch and awaits the count, but Referee Mike does not count. Kane goes for another chokeslam, but Reigns hops out of it and spears him! Kane does not get up and Roman gets the hard-fought victory!

Winner via 10-Count/Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns

The announcer’s plug the two Beat The Clock challenges matches, then up next we will be looking at WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena VS. Brock Lesnar for SummerSlam!

Commercials.

Segment #2: Video Promo

Footage of Brock Lesnar and WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena’s respective careers are shown, along with new comments by each wrestlers about said careers/opponents. Phrases that were significant included “who is Brock Lesnar? I’m an ass-kicking son-of-a-bitch. I don’t respect anybody. I don’t care what people think about me. I could give two s**** who I piss off throughout my entire day. Alright, I came back to the company because I want to be the WWE Champion again. I don’t give a f*** who’s in my way. As long as I get the pure satisfaction of getting my hands on my opponent, and making him feel my pain, that’s what makes me happy. If you want to wrap your head around my world, then you’re going to have to understand one thing; I enjoy hurting people.” (Lesnar) “I’m coming off the biggest win of my career in WWE – I beat The Undertaker.” (Lesnar) “Brock Lesnar is easily the most difficult person I’ve ever been in the ring with; he’s also the most gifted athlete I’ve ever seen. His height, his weight, his strength, his mobility, his agility, his endurance, his mean streak.” (Cena) “I’m going to rip John Cena limb-from-limb, and it’s going to be, it’s going to be ugly people.” (Lesnar) “I also know what it takes to beat him. Come get some.” (Cena) “I left this company, went out and made a name for myself. I came back to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. But if I were to stay here, there would be no such thing as John Cena.” (Lesnar) “Brock Lesnar left at the right time, because if he stayed, there would be no Brock Lesnar.” (Cena) “I’m not going in to lose, I’m going in to win.” (Cena) “I’m going to rip John Cena apart at SummerSlam, and then I’m going to stand before him, holding the WWE World Heavyweight Championship with pride.” (Lesnar)

Prior to the bout, Sandow antagonizes the fans by coming out to the “Boomer Sooner” music and putting Oklahoma College Football team over, which is Texas’ rival. This one is over supremely soon, after Henry finishes Damien with a World’s Strongest Slam!

Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Adam Rose is with his Rosebuds and talks about a mirror that shows evil. He looks at the mirror as eerie music plays. It turns into Adam in a suit holding a briefcase and shaking nervously. Back to his regular self, he walks off. (That was pointless!)

Dean Ambrose makes his entrance for him to take on Alberto Del Rio, next!

Commercials.

It is announced that next week, Raw will have a special birthday celebration for the one-and-only, Hulk Hogan!

Both engage in a lockup, then Alberto snapmares Dean and gives him a front-dropkick in the back of the head. Ambrose soon takes domination with wild punches, but Del Rio comes back. He tries a suplex/small package, but it kind of failed. On the outside, Del Rio whips Dean into the barricade. In the ring, Ambrose manages to execute a proper small package for two. Alberto again hurls Ambrose, this time into the ring post and then hammers his arm against it.

Once more, Ambrose turns the tables and chucks Alberto into the ring barricade, then clamps on an armbar in the ring. He runs at Alberto, but is dodged and meets the ring post again. Alberto locks on an armbar of his own, using the ropes for leverage. Dean begins another comeback, with fists of furry, but is tossed off the ropes with a front suplex and harshly kicked down in the face!

Ads.
Del Rio still in control, wearing Ambrose down with another armbar. He DDTs Dean, then sets him up again against the ring post. He kicks, but misses, and Ambrose follows up with a suicide dive! Ambrose ascends the turnbuckle and soars off with a front-dropkick! He runs at Del Rio in the corner and rams his shoulder repeatedly into Del Rio’s gut. Ambrose is again on the turnbuckle and gives Alberto a Tornado DDT for a near-fall!

He goes for the driving-front DDT, but Alberto shoves him off and tears off his shoulder bandage. Del Rio flips Dean backwards out of the corner with an impressive reverse suplex/DDT! He goes for the Cross Armbreaker, but Ambrose gets out of it and rolls Del Rio up for a close one! Del Rio comes back again with an armbreaker, then grips another armbar on, using the ropes again. He tries for another Cross Armbreaker, but Ambrose reverses into Dirty Deeds for the 1 – 2 – 3 at 15:42!

Winner via Pinfall at 15:42: Dean Ambrose

Recap of the brawl between Stephanie and Brie that closed Raw last week airs.

Post-match, Lana cuts another promo making fun of United States President Barack Obama. Since it is President Obama’s birthday, she sings him “Happy Birthday” in Russian. The Real Americans, Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter interrupt.

Colter does all the talking, telling her to “shut up” and stop talking about President Putin and “Mother Russia.” He puts over the hard-working American people that he and Swagger represent, ones who do the blue-collar jobs for their families and the nurses who work up to 60 hours a week.

Rusev and Lana go to leave, then Rusev attacks Jack with the Russian Flag. Zeb just stands their and watches, holding the American Flag. Rusev eyes him, and both he and Lana corner Colter. Lana taunts Zeb, then they laugh and walk away.

Ads.

Match #5: Single – Cesaro VS. “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

(Hopefully, this is a superb, long match! Also, Intercontinental Champion The Miz is on commentary.) Cesaro starts off with an immediate hard boot and cover for two! He controls Dolph with a grounding headlock, but Ziggler works out of it. He hits a dropkick and goes for a leaping splash, but is caught in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near-fall!

Dolph goes for a small package, but Cesaro uses his muscles to set up a suplex. Dolph counters, and yanks Cesaro down with the Zig-Zag to take this one quickly!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

Post-match, Ziggler fakes-out a punch to the face of Miz, then walks away. The announcer’s make it official and tell us Dolph and Miz will face off for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam; as well, Paige and A.J. Lee will go at it for the Divas Championship at SummerSlam too.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Announcer Todd now interviews Paige, who wishes Divas Champion A.J. to get well soon, and says it is an honor to wrestle her “friend” at SummerSlam, where she will reclaim her Divas Championship.

Goldust begins with Ryback, slapping him in the corner. Goldust gives Ryback a couple of inverted atomic drops. Rybaxel trade in and out, dominating Goldust. He eventually somersaults through and makes the hot-tag, allowing Stardust to come in and fly all over. He plants Curtis with “Dark Matter,” a flatliner for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Goldust and Stardust

Segment #5: Office Promo

Triple H and Stephanie are going over the contract when Kane walks in. Without saying a word, removes his mask and hands it to Stephanie, then walks away. We don’t see his face.

(Note: Luke enters to new music, which is a blend of the child singing “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” from the April 28th, 2014 Raw, and then your generic rock guitar.)

Harper dominates promptly with fists and elbows, then the Gator Roll side headlock. Jericho is sitting on the top turnbuckle and leaps off, but misses, allowing Luke to nail him with a big boot. He follows with a huge sit-down powerbomb and get a near-fall!

Rowan stands on the apron, but Jericho hits him down and rolls up Harper for only two! He manages to clutch Harper in the Walls Of Jericho, but the lights suddenly go out and Bray Wyatt appears in the aisle when they come back on. Jericho hits the Codebreaker on both Erik and Luke, but Bray comes in to attack Jericho, causing the dq.

Winner via Disqualification: Chris Jericho

Post-match, Wyatt drives Jericho to the canvas with the “Sister Abigail” spinning flatliner, then proclaims “follow the buzzards!”

Commercials.

It is made known that Divas Champion A.J. Lee will return on Main Event this week.

(Note: Why are we seeing this for the third time in a row?! I’m sorry, but I don’t care about this one!) Thankfully, this is short. Fandango accidentally hits Hornswoggle, which allows Diego to finish Fandango with a Backstabber.

Winner via Pinfall: Diego (with El Torito, Layla, and Summer Rae)

Post-match, Hornswoggle switches sides and begins to dance with El Torito, Layla, and Summer Rae. Fandango takes umbrage, and goes to beat on Hornswoggle, but Diego fends him off and the faces celebrate. (Waste of TV time!)

Segment #7: Locker Room Promo

Rene Young is with Randy Orton, who recaps his ferocious assault on Roman Reigns from last week. Orton puts himself over as “twisted and sadistic,” warning Reigns to “keep his head on a swivel, because I just may kick it off.”

Bo Dallas makes his entrance, and will take on R-Truth, next!

Ads.

Match #9: Single – “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas VS. R-Truth

(Note: Recap of Bo Dallas’ first loss to Truth last week is aired.) Bo begins harsh, but Truth comes back and does the same. He runs and rockets himself at Bo in the corner. Bo counters with an elbow, but Truth hits a jumping calf-kick. He rolls up Bo from behind, but Dallas reverses it, holding Truth’s pants to take this!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas

Post-match, R-Truth is upset with the loss and attacks Dallas. He slugs away on the outside, but Bo shoves off into the ring post, then uses the steps to propel him and drop Truth with the Bo-Dog Bulldog. Bo runs around with a victory lap.

Commercials.

Segment #8: Video Promo

Bray Wyatt wonders why people do what they do. He says that it is a “question that has plagued him for years.” He talks about memory, then finishes of with “I am Bray Wyatt and I stay,” and sings a rendition of “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.”

The same Brock Lesnar/WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena promo now re-airs.

Rob Van Dam makes his entrance, and will face Seth Rollins up next in a Beat The Clock Challenge!

At first, Rollins tries to convince Slater to just take a count-out loss, but Slater has done of it and punches back. Seth quickly gains control until Ambrose appears at ringside and distracts him. Dean picks up Seth’s briefcase and pulls out the Money In The Bank contract, ripping it up! Rollins is on the ropes, looking at this. He turns around into a big kick by Heath, but he only gets two!

Ambrose takes a drink from a fan, then pours it in the briefcase. He then takes some popcorn and taunts Rollins. He puts down Slater again, then turns his attention to Ambrose, who now wears John Bradshaw Layfield’s hat, and locks it in the briefcase. Ambrose stands on the announce table, allowing Heath to roll him up from behind for the victory!

Winner via Pinfall at 4: Heath Slater

Post-match, Ambrose laughs and walks off while Rollins throws a fit over his briefcase and the significant loss.

Up next, is the SummerSlam contract signing between Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon!

Segment #9: Arena Promo

Stephanie McMahon comes out first with Triple H, followed by The Bella Twins. Michael Cole is in the ring, but Triple H starts off, putting over this match, SummerSlam, and the WWE Network. He excuses himself from overseeing the signing, since he is married to Stephanie. He kisses Stephanie, but Brie wants to get on with it.

McMahon pokes fun at Daniel Bryan’s recovery, but Brie bites back (figuratively) by airing footage of Stephanie’s arrest from two weeks ago. Brie threatens that “not only am I going to beat you, but I’m going to embarrass you.” She warns that “the great and powerful Stephanie McMahon is nothing more than a fraud; a failure, an embarrassment to the McMahon Family.” She cites all the members of the WWE who McMahon has made trouble for, including Vickie Guerrero, The Rhodes Family, and The Big Show. (The crowd also chants “C.M. Punk.”)

Stephanie fires back, insinuating that Brie used this opportunity and shuffled aside her husband Daniel Bryan and sister Nikki to further her own agenda. “At SummerSlam, I am going to tear your heart out.” Stephanie slaps Brie down, and Triple H shoves Nikki in the corner and blockades her with the table. Stephanie delivers a Pedigree to Brie, but Nikki slaps Triple H. Stephanie rams Nikki’s head on the table and gives her a Pedigree too. Triple H and Stephanie make-out and stand over the downed Twins to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

3 weeks straight of great Monday Night Raws! This was another well-done episode, continuing the strong build to a strong Pay-Per-View. Onto the usual critiques:

Excellence: The Authority – both the opening and ending segments with them were fantastic. As mentioned in my previous, I am surprisingly really digging the Brie/Stephanie rivalry, and they have stepped it up much more than I initially thought. Even though I know the match won’t be thrilling from a technical standpoint, I am very invested in this feud and the finish of the match. Orton has also regained his mean ways, which is much better now, since he does have a tendency to get a bit bland in the ring and on the mike. I see him and Roman Reigns in a stipulation match at SummerSlam, perhaps a second Last Man Standing contest? Seth Rollins’ interactions with Dean Ambrose are always entertaining, especially on Ambrose’s part tonight. He played it to perfection!

Intrigued with Kane’s turn, ditching the mask tonight. Who will he side with after this move?

Speaking of “perfection,” glad Dolph Ziggler is getting a mini-push back, and glad his I.C. Title match with The Miz is on SummerSlam. Let’s hope it stays on the main card and not get booted to the pre-show. I’d like to see The Miz win, however, and by nefarious means of course. But, would love to see this feud continue too.

Actually happy they are doing more than a “one-off” with Bo Dallas and R-Truth. Liking this and nice to see Truth be a little mean again.

Really loving Paige/Divas Champ A.J. Lee “friendly” rivalry. This is the personality Paige had to show from the beginning, and I’m ecstatic she is finally doing that. It also brings more meaning back to the championship, with the intensity of the feud.

Even though they weren’t on Raw in person, the video putting over Brock Lesnar and WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena was superb and again, provided legitimacy to their upcoming bout. This is also being built very well, and I look forward to the inevitable final face-off between the two on Raw next week.

Bogus: Did not care for Sandow/Henry, the Adam Rose segment was absolutely pointless, and get the Diego/Fandango/everyone else involved with them off TV and end it!

I thought I’d be extremely intrigued with the Jericho/Wyatt feud, but it’s not as great as I’d hoped. I thought there’d be more banter back and forth since they are both promo-heavy and awesome at it, but it is really just Bray carrying the promo work and beating down Jericho. Their match at SummerSlam needs to have more of a specialty to it.

I was also interested in the new grouping of Big E./Kofi/Xavier, but since they weren’t even on Raw this week, and only stood around last week, I’ve lost my interest.

Where has United States Champion Sheamus been? Why is he not on the main shows in the last little bit and engaged in a feud for the title, especially moving into one of the bigger Pay-Per-Views of the year?

Overall, a wonderful Raw that continued to promote a major card for a major show (SummerSlam) very well! Until next week, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!